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Brevard Live
5 QUESTIONS
w/Steven Spencer
By Steve Keller
Steven “Born” Spencer is the
lead singer of both Southern
Fried Genocide and Lost Satellite.
In late 2018 he fulfilled a long time
goal of organizing, mastering and
releasing a 22 track CD called Harbor
City Volume 1. It brings together
a lot of Brevard’s original music
scene for your listening pleasure.
Always a good conversation, I sat
down with him to ask 5 questions...
Why did the band decide to update
the name?
Steven: With the personnel changes
over the years, we didn’t feel that
Southern Fried Genocide represented
the current lineup. Wes (Diffie/ guitars)
and I are the only remaining members
of the original Southern Fried Genocide;
but Matt (Ousley/ guitar) has
been a member now for about 4 to 5
years (newer members: Stoo Hodur/
bass; Nick Mascolo/drums). Originally,
I voted against Southern Fried
Genocide, as I am originally from
North Chicago and didn’t really identify
with the box that the name put us
in (laughs).
I know many people like the name
and I guess that is cause we are in the
south. We didn’t want to completely
lose the identity of what we built, so
we decided to abbreviate. People can
still call us Southern Fried Genocide,
but we will be marketing as SFG.
While the music lends itself to many
Southern riffs and rock, my lyrics are
not Southern in nature. I’ve always felt
the ‘Southern Fried’ put us in a childish
light, that doesn’t reflect our style (or
at least my style). I guess I don’t want
to speak for everyone; because most in
the band just want to jam and make rad
music. But, as a lyricist, I have hopes
of connecting the experience with all
aspects of the band, from name to marketing
to live show. I know I sound like
a drag (laughs).
What has been the response to the
Harbor City CD?
Steven: It’s been great! It is slowly
making its way to people’s pages online.
There was a post the other day,
which led to more people purchasing
it and more bands wanting to join in
on the fun. I’ve had some bands already
interested in Volume 2. My reach
is only so far; but with leaders in the
music community sharing the information,
it helps to spread the word. I
think I’ll make a dedicated page for
Harbor City volumes so it is easier to
share and locate.
I wasn’t sure how the response would
be initially; but it is time to take it to
the next level.
How did local artist Kyle Heinly
get involved in creating the artwork
for the CD?
Steven: Kyle is my bud. He spends
so much time in the scene; promoting
himself and others. I have never heard
him have a negative comment toward
anyone or anything. It was a pleasure
to be able to reciprocate the support towards
his art.
Where do you see releasing compilation
CDs like this is headed for
our music scene?
Steven: I would love to see these comps
lead to an eclectic scene rather than
competitive. My favorite shows are
when there are different types of music,
rather than just one sound. Maybe it is
my lack of focus; but I get bored when
there is too much of the same sound. I
do think personal reflection, or competition
with oneself, can lead to a band
creating better music.
I think this area does a great job of
experimentation; and that is what needs
to be experienced as a local listener.
This is a good thing for young bands,
as well as rutted bands. When you look
at dynamic scenes like Seattle, NY, or
LA, there is so much history to relate to
within the scene. We don’t really have
that luxury. Our scene is built from ideals
from bigger areas. Even our beach
vibe is taken from the islands or Calipunk.
I think we can also work collectively
to build a sort of a record label
and work together to promote our
music locally and regionally. I think
that the talent is here to be recognized
on a national level. Florida is not an
easy market to ‘breakout’. And maybe
most bands are comfortable with local
play; and that is very cool. In the
current market, I think trying to rely
on ‘luck’ to get noticed can be a lifetime
achievement goal. I think we can
create enough noise to make our own
waves. My punk rock heritage has ingrained
DIY into my head. My love for
our music community wants me to provide
a way that we can do it together.
Many bigger markets can rely on just
being part of a punk community or a
metal community. We need to have the
focus to work as a music community.
Where can people purchase the
CD?
Steven: Online; it’s available on Amazon
and iTunes; 22 songs for $5.99. For
an actual hard copy CD you can hit up
the Harbor City Volume 1 Facebook
page for exact locations.
Check out SFG, Lost Satellite and all
the original bands found on Harbor
City Vol. 1 online and around town .
Brevard Live March 2019 - 31